Pen needle attachment mechanisms
Inventors
Srinivasan, Sudarsan • DiBiasi, Michael • Sullivan, Sean • Knapp, II, Keith • Herr, Joshua • Limaye, Amit • Huang, David • Schiff, David • Sack, Todd
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11577030-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
User-friendly attachment mechanisms for pen needles provide improved handling and ease of use, including locking installation and removal features and sensory feedback when a needle-bearing hub is seated on a pen.
Core Innovation
A pen needle is provided for attachment to a medication delivery device, including a hub with a first portion having a substantially cylindrical shape and threads for attachment, and a second portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the first portion with a needle extending therefrom. The hub includes a step between the first portion and the second portion, and includes a patient-facing surface at a distal end of the second portion that includes a flat surface where the patient-facing surface extends between the needle and an outer edge of the second portion. An inner shield is received on the second portion, and an outer cover is received over the first portion of the hub.
The outer cover has a side wall with an inner surface and a plurality of ribs projecting radially inward from the inner surface, where the ribs have L-shaped surfaces. The L-shaped surfaces include first faces facing radially inward with respect to the hub and second faces facing axially toward a proximal end of the outer cover. The rib structure is configured such that, by rotation of the outer cover with respect to the hub, the plurality of ribs deflect and slide over corresponding features on the hub to produce sensory feedback.
In further embodiments, the hub has a plurality of open gaps facing radially outward and/or includes flexible circumferential tabs on a hub portion that are deflected by multiple ribs as the outer cover rotates relative to the hub. The sensory feedback is described as producing audible feedback and/or tactile sensations when the needle-bearing hub becomes fully seated on the medication pen. The designs are described as preventing over-tightening by providing user sensory feedback during seating and engagement.
Additional disclosed features include step or slim hub geometry to enable a conventional pen cap to fit, and alternative sterility barrier approaches using tortuous path labyrinth seals that can eliminate a traditional tear drop label and/or an inner needle shield. Further disclosed embodiments restrict needle access until proper hub seating using slot/tab interactions, and include spindle-style patient end shields and non-patient end shields that attach directly to the hub with sterile sealing contours.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00009) directed to a pen needle structure having a ribbed outer cover that produces sensory feedback upon rotation relative to a hub, with specific hub geometry, shields, and L-shaped rib surfaces. Across the independents, the core coverage includes 4 main inventive features: (1) stepped hub with threads and a smaller-diameter needle-bearing portion, (2) patient-facing flat surface geometry and/or hub step portion, (3) an inner shield with an outer cover having ribs with L-shaped surfaces and specified face orientations, and (4) rotation-driven deflection/slide over hub features to produce sensory feedback.
Stepped hub with threaded attachment and needle-bearing second portion
A hub having a first portion with a substantially cylindrical shape and threads for attachment to a medication delivery device, a second portion having a diameter less than a diameter of said first portion, and a step between said first portion and said second portion, where a needle extends from said second portion.
Patient-facing flat distal surface on the hub second portion
A patient-facing surface at a distal end of said second portion of said hub, where said patient-facing surface has a flat surface where said patient-facing surface extends between said needle and an outer edge of said second portion.
Inner shield with outer cover ribs having L-shaped surfaces and face orientations
An inner shield received on said second portion, an outer cover received over said first portion of said hub, the outer cover having a side wall with an inner surface and a plurality of ribs projecting radially inward from said inner surface, wherein said plurality of ribs have L-shaped surfaces comprising first faces facing radially inward with respect to said hub and second faces facing axially toward a proximal end of said outer cover.
Rotation-driven rib deflection and sliding to produce sensory feedback
A plurality of ribs that deflect and slide over corresponding hub features by rotation of said outer cover with respect to said hub to produce a sensory feedback.
Hub open gaps facing radially outward for rib deflection/slide
The first portion of said hub has an outer surface with a plurality of open gaps facing radially outward, and wherein said plurality of ribs deflect and slide over said plurality of open gaps by rotation of said outer cover with respect to said hub to produce a sensory feedback.
Across the independent claims, the pen needle is defined by a stepped, threaded hub with a smaller-diameter needle-bearing portion and a patient-facing distal flat surface, combined with an inner shield and an outer cover having ribs with L-shaped surfaces. The ribs are configured to deflect and slide during relative rotation over hub features (such as open gaps, and in dependent refinements, related engagement features) to produce sensory feedback.
Stated Advantages
Provides sensory feedback (audible click and/or tactile sensations) when the needle-bearing hub becomes fully seated.
Prevents over-tightening.
Documented Applications
Attachment and seating of a needle-bearing hub on a medication pen/medication delivery device, with sensory feedback during proper seating and engagement.
Restricting needle access until proper hub seating using slot/tab interactions.
Sterility barrier configurations using tortuous path labyrinth seals that can eliminate a tear drop label and/or an inner needle shield.
Use of patient end shields and non-patient end shields attached directly to the hub with sterile sealing contours.
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